Everyone has their own way to relieve stress and unwind. Mine includes four wheels and is perfectly named "Escape"!
A great form of therapy for me is to go for a drive. I don't mean a quick jaunt around the block or a trip to the mall, but a real adventure! My youngest is always up for a road trip and is a great co-pilot.
With a full tank of gas, some yummy snacks, and a perfectly lined-up playlist, it's time to hit the road. There is no highway driving on this adventure; it is back roads and scenic routes all the way. Our first stop, Starbucks, because no road trip can begin without spoiling ourselves with our favourite refreshment.
This trip has no planned agenda, we will go where the road takes us. It's always exciting when we stumble upon some small antique store, find a rambling creek perfect for a picnic, or discover a beautiful little town, one that we have never heard of but somewhere we bookmark to visit again. There are no deadlines to meet or specific destination to arrive at. We take the long route and enjoy a slower pace. We both love thrifting and have stumbled upon some great gems in obscure out of the way locations. Taking a drive with no predetermined destination lets you experience and find things that you might normally pass right by without a second glance.
Our sunglasses are on and the windows are open, even on a cool day. BREATHE! The air somehow smells fresher, makes me feel more alive, and in love with the world! The rush of air, and the warmth of the sunshine on my face, quickly begin to lower my blood pressure, relax my heart rate and give me more energy. Anything that I can do to strengthen my immune system is a bonus. This trip is about reconnecting with what is important for both my mind and my body.
Music is a huge part of both our lives and somehow just sounds better in the car. With the windows open, we are happy to share with the world the amazing tunes being played. Our musical lineup has no bias and includes all genres, to which you will hear us loudly singing along, even if we have to make up the words. For me, singing to an amazing song is a great way to relieve stress and make me smile. I feel happy, adventurous and healthy. Music truly does soothe the soul.
With my attention on the road, I have no time for any worries. Work, stress and especially any to-do lists are soon forgotten. This is a no-pressure zone that has the bonus of some awesome scenery.
Phones are brought for GPS and for an awesome playlist, but that's all. Getting lost will be half the fun. It's great to take a break from the endless daily scrolling we all get caught up in, or the slouching in front of a laptop. The windshield is our screen and we have front row seats for this show, and what a great view we have. Sit up straight and enjoy the ride.
If Mother Nature is kind enough to bless us with a sunny day, what a perfect way to soak up some natural vitamin D. The sun on our faces feels awesome. If the weather is not so cooperative, that's ok too. We will just roll with any punches the weather may throw at us.
Conversations begin and we often find ourselves talking about things that we have either been too busy or too stressed to discuss. We spend hours having deep, lengthy conversations about things that are important to us, without judgement of the other person. Maybe because we are more relaxed or because there is no escape from each other in the car. This is a safe zone where we try to be respectful of each others opinions. Then there are those times when we sit in silence, just enjoying the music and each others company.
Many of our drives last for hours so they definitely include a stop for some yummy food. Sometimes it's a nice restaurant, sometimes just a fast food place, and other times we choose the drive-through option and enjoy our meal on the go, while enjoying the scenery.
When our trip finally comes to an end, our stomachs are a little fuller, our minds a little clearer, and there are smiles on our faces from such a great day. The drive into town usually has us circling the block one or two more times, just long enough so we can finish singing that last verse to our final song on our amazing playlist.
The day was successful! It made me laugh, smile, feel less stressed and was an amazing adventure. As we gather our things from the car, our discussion usually ends with when we should head out on our next road trip.
Taking a day to get away from the daily grind is one of the best things I do for my well being. I feel happy, relaxed and more confident. Get away, go for a walk, go sit by a brook, go visit somewhere new, escape.
Above all... take a road trip!
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